As India gears up for a high-stakes semifinal against the England national cricket team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, bowling coach Morne Morkel has publicly backed struggling opener Abhishek Sharma, insisting that the youngster’s rough patch could ultimately help shape his career. The crucial encounter is set to take place at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday (March 5). Abhishek came into the tournament carrying huge expectations after an explosive 2025 season, where he established himself as one of the most dangerous batters in T20 cricket.

However, the ongoing campaign has been far from smooth for the left-hander. In six innings so far, he has managed just 80 runs at an average of 13.33 with a strike rate of 131.15, numbers that reflect a rare slump for a player known for aggressive starts at the top of the order. Part of the dip in form may also be linked to the illness he suffered early in the tournament. After India’s opening match against the United States national cricket team, Abhishek required a two-day hospital admission, disrupting his rhythm in the early stages of the competition.

Despite the struggles, Morkel believes such challenging phases are a natural part of a cricketer’s journey and can serve as valuable learning experiences. “I think just sometimes this game can be hard on you, cruel on you. It’s a similar situation that Sanju Samson found himself in, that in your career you’re going to find moments like this,” Morne Morkel said in the pre-match press conference. “This is good growth for him, it’s good learning for him. For a young guy finding his feet in international cricket, this will only help him down the line and for Indian cricket.”

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Morne Morkel also pointed out that Abhishek’s fearless approach means he doesn’t dwell too much on technique, and a couple of well-timed shots could quickly restore his confidence.

“For me, it’s just about one or two shots that can find him that rhythm, that can give him that confidence back. And that for me is a pleasing sign,” he explained. The Indian bowling coach also reminded everyone that Abhishek has strong memories against England. The opener smashed a stunning 135 off just 54 balls against the same opposition in 2025, an innings that showcased his explosive potential. “So like I said, it’s a fresh page for him tomorrow, an opportunity to go and do well. He scored a 100 here against England not so long ago,” Morkel added.

Meanwhile, Morkel also praised Sanju Samson for his match-winning performance in India’s quarterfinal victory over the West Indies cricket team, where the wicketkeeper-batter produced a brilliant unbeaten 97.

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“There was not a lot of conversation. He’s a guy who always works hard at the nets,” Morne Morkel said while speaking about Samson’s preparation. “Credit to him for not losing that hope, keep on working hard, keep on grooving on his strengths and then taking the opportunity.” With the semifinal looming at Wankhede Stadium, India will hope Abhishek Sharma can rediscover his attacking rhythm while experienced players like Samson continue to deliver in pressure moments.